LAUSR

Introduction/Background Blood levels of hormones do not reflect the true picture of hormonal homeostasis due to the local synthesis of sex hormones by tumor tissues. Our purpose was to analyze levels and ratios of sex hormones in the blood and tissues of removed ovaries in ovarian cancer (OC) patients of the reproductive age. Methodology Levels of estradiol (E2), testosterone (T) and progesterone (P4) were measured by RIA in the blood and ovarian tissues of patients with unilateral (T1-2N0M0) and bilateral advanced OC (T3-4N1-2M0), and the E2/P4 ratio was calculated. Mean age of patients 34.7±2.3 years, tumor histotype G2-3 cystadenocarcinoma, menstrual function preserved (luteal phase). Results In patients with T3-4N1-2M0, blood levels of E2 exceeded the norm by 1.6 times, T by 1.4 times, and P4 was 7.4 times lower. In unilateral OC T1-2N0M0, blood levels of E2 were 2.8 times lower than the norm, P4 40 times lower, and T was twice higher. E2/P4 ratios in patients with both T3-4N1-2M0 and T1-2N0M0 exceeded the norm on average by 13 times. In tumor tissues in T1-2N0M0, E2 and P4 were 5.5 and 3 times higher, respectively, than in tumor tissues in T3-4N1-2M0; T levels were similar. The E2/P4 ratio in patients with both advanced and unilateral OC exceeded the ratio in intact ovaries on average by 5.5 times. Conclusion Relative hyperestrogenism was observed in the blood of patients with T1-2N0M0 OC, and absolute - in T3-4N1-2M0. Since E2 in tumor tissues of T1-2N0M0 cancer was higher than in T3-4N1-2M0, we could suppose an activation of extragonadal estrogen synthesis in patients with an advanced process. Changes in the blood and tissue ratios of hormones indicated disorders in the central regulation of the production of sex hormones and the loss of correlative connections typical of normal physiological processes. Disclosure Nothing to disclose.